A week after he announced the layoffs of 59 employees at the North Hawaii Community Hospital, the chief executive officer of the hospital announced that he was stepping down from his post.

Jeff Comer informed hospital staff and the board of directors of his decision Tuesday and said his resignation was effective immediately. Comer joined the Big Island hospital just four months ago but he had been under fire from the community and hospital staff since the layoffs and the loss of its most prominent financial backer, Earl Bakken.

The hospital gave no reason for Comer's resignation, but its board did recognize the rift between Comer and the community.

"The change in hospital leadership is our first step toward healing the rifts between the community and our hospital," the directors said in a statement. "We recognize that the board itself must undergo an orderly transition process over time, and be more inclusive to our doctors, donors and community stakeholders."

Last week, Comer said the hospital needed to lay off 13 percent of its staff to save $4 million in the hospital's annual wages and benefits.

TEAMS ON HAND TODAY

Also yesterday, the state announced it is activating its "Rapid Response Team" today to help these workers and another 55 employees who will be losing their jobs at the Kona Community Hospital.

The team will be at Kona Community Hospital from 9 to 10:15 a.m. to assist displaced Kona Community Hospital workers. At 2 p.m., state workers will be at the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Hall, 64-756 Mamalahoa Highway, to help workers at North Hawaii Community Hospital.